Still on the History of Benins by Barr and Elderstatesman Ojealaro Friday

THE SOLILOQUIES OF THE ELDERSTATESMAN...

>> ECHOES OF OUR PAST <<

I LOVE OBA OVORANMWEN by 

Elderstatesman Ojealaro Friday

Today,I want to take myself away from the deplorable political and economic situation in Nigeria and reflect on the past. I mean the past of one of the most organized Independent Kingdoms that ever came out of Africa- The Benin Kingdom. My interest this morning is Benin under His Imperial Majesty( HIM) Oba Ovoranmwen Nogbaisi,the last absolute Monarch of an Independent Edo Nation.

Now,look up at the title I chose for this piece," I love Oba Ovoranmwen" Do you know what I love about him? It is his Majestic arrogance and defiance,coupled with his uncommon decisiveness. In this treatise,I intend to obviate instances where he put all these into enrapturing display.

Because of the bad influence the coming of the colonialist brought to the west Africa coast,many hitherto spineless dukedoms decided to take a go at rebellion from their sovereign states. This is the kind of scenario Oba Overanmwen inherited when he mounted the kingdom of his forefathers in the mid 19th century. Rebellions everywhere and it was the way he dealt with them all that makes this man one of the men I love most in World history. I will give three instances.

(1) ITSEKIRIS TRADING TRANSGRESSIONS:

The Itsekiris are Benin people in present day Delta state. They were part of the Benin Independent Kingdom. A Benin Prince ( Ginuwa) established their Arch-Duchy. Since they lived very close to the empire's commercial waters,they traded and were in charge of regulations of riverine commerce. But,it came to the notice of the Oba that,they are perpetrating some commercial frauds by setting prices of goods not approved by the Oba of Benin. They were summoned to the palace and the Oba sternly admonished them and warned them on pain of death not to try it again. As punishment,Oba Ovoranmwen asked them to foot the bill of re-roofing the palace which they willingly did,happy to escape with so light a sentence. Never till the whiteman sacked Benin,did Itsekiri dare misbehaved again.

(2) EKPOMA CHIEFS PROTEST.

Now,the Mini Dukedom of EKPOMA comprises unadulterated benin people. The Duchy was also established by a Benin Prince like all other Duchies. Oba Overanmwen perceived that there is unrest in EKPOMA after the death of the Last Duke. According to Ola Rotimi( In the Historical Play he wrote about the Oba), This is how Ovoranmwen reacted.

" Big towns rebel,small town also rebel. Big snails push forward,small snails also push forward. Now tell me,what is the problem in LITTLE EKPOMA".

He was told that,the courtiers have refused to crown the first son of the last onogie of Ekpoma because they feel he is too young to rule. The Oba immediately sent for the EKPOMA Chiefs and they came trembling before his presence. He asked them how can they determine the sex of a chicken still inside the egg. Shouldn't they allow the egg to hatch first? He ordered them to crown the young prince and give him a chance. They can always report back to him. After this,he feasted them and sent them back with a lot of royal gifts. And,it was not recorded "Little Ekpoma" caused " wahala" again.

AKURE/ONDO REBELLION.

The Ondo people who today,through acculturation now speaks Yoruba were Edo people properly organized under the Benin Duchy of Akure( A'Kue). Their Duke decided to test the waters and when the Oba heard this,he immediately called a War Council and this is how Ola Rotimi reported his indignation at Akure's behavior.

" I have heard that the Udezi( Deji now) of Akure has fashioned for himself two stately swords. Two stately swords to buttress his vanity. Now,go and remind him with " A KEG OF GUN POWDER" that,Akure is still part of Benin Kingdom,handed over to me by Adolor my father"

Lol..The Oba did not see Akure worth wasting more than a keg of gunpowder on.

However,as soon as the Duke of Akure heard that the Oba is very angry with him,he did not wait for the sound of that keg of gun powder. He rushed to benin and was ushered into the awesome and majestic presence of Ovoranmwen. He exonerated himself by proving that,the stately swords were made of ordinary wood. He dares not use iron. The Oba asked him to break the swords with his own hands in his presence. The Udezi with much trembling broke the swords. He was sent back to Akure with further stern warnings to be of good behavior. And,the Ondo people never rebelled again. They were excised from the Benin Empire by the British colonialists.

Now,tell me,you don't love Ovoranmwen.

Good Morning!